Any day, it is challenging for an overseas bowler to bowl in Indian conditions, and it becomes much worse with the format getting longer. And it is much harder for a non-Asian bowler. Getting accustomed to the weather conditions, the pitch, and the relatively softer balls will take some skill.
However, some bowlers are/were able to adapt to the conditions and have made merry on the visits.
Nathan Lyon, the Australian spinner, overtook Derek Underwood’s number of 54 wickets in Indian venues recently and is now the highest wicket-taker among the visiting bowlers in India in Tests.
This article will list the top ten overseas bowlers who have picked the most wickets on Indian soil in Test cricket.
Most Test Wickets by Overseas Bowlers in India
| Player | MATCHES | INNS | WICKETS | BEST BOWLING | BB/MATCH | BOWL AVERAGE | ECONOMY | STRIKE RATE | 5W/10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Lyon (AUS) | 11 | 19 | 56 | 8/50 | 11/99 | 27.35 | 3.16 | 51.7 | 5/1 |
| Derek Underwood (ENG) | 16 | 29 | 54 | 5/84 | 9/173 | 26.51 | 2.03 | 78 | 1/0 |
| Richie Benaud (AUS) | 8 | 16 | 52 | 7/72 | 11/105 | 18.38 | 1.94 | 56.7 | 5/1 |
| Courtney Walsh (WI) | 7 | 13 | 43 | 6/79 | 9/94 | 18.55 | 2.87 | 38.7 | 3/0 |
| Muttiah Muralidaran (SL) | 11 | 14 | 40 | 7/100 | 8/218 | 45.45 | 3.16 | 86.2 | 2/0 |
| Lance Gibbs (WI) | 9 | 18 | 39 | 7/98 | 9/143 | 23.38 | 1.84 | 76 | 3/0 |
| Wes Hall (WI) | 8 | 16 | 38 | 6/50 | 11/126 | 20.94 | 2.7 | 46.5 | 2/1 |
| John Lever (ENG) | 8 | 14 | 37 | 7/46 | 10/70 | 19.75 | 2.74 | 43.1 | 3/1 |
| Andy Roberts (WI) | 7 | 13 | 37 | 7/64 | 12/121 | 19.81 | 2.77 | 42.8 | 3/1 |
| Malcolm Marshall (WI) | 9 | 15 | 36 | 6/37 | 9/102 | 24.61 | 2.96 | 49.8 | 2/0 |
Key Stats
Lyon is second among the bowlers with the most wickets against India in Tests, only next to James Anderson. Find the top ten list here.
With the mighty name list up there, it takes a two-match-old Ajaz Patel of New Zealand to take the first-ever 10-wicket haul by an overseas bowler in Tests. Among the 30+ wicket-takers, Lyon’s 8/50 at Bengaluru is the best bowling performance.
Ajaz Patel also takes the cherry for the best bowling performance in a Test match by an overseas bowler for his 14/225 in the same game he picked his magical 10-for.
For the columns denoting the number of innings bowled, the overs bowled, and maiden overs bowled, the English left-arm spinner Derek Underwood leads the others in the list by a big distance.
Alan Davidson, the Australian All-rounder with 30 Test wickets in India, has the best average (15.76) and economy rate (1.76) among the overseas bowlers who have picked a minimum of 30 Test wickets in India.
Finally, the West Indies legend Courtney Walsh has the best striking rate as he has picked a wicket in every 39 balls he bowled in India in Test cricket.
